The last link in the Trans Canada Trail between Elora and the Region of Waterloo boundary is scheduled for completion in 2015.
Planning director Gary Cousins advised members of the planning committee on Jan. 15 the county has set aside sufficient money to complete the work in previous budgets and has secured funding from the Trans Canada Trail organization for over 50% of the cost.
A tender document will be sent out in late February or March and work is expected to begin this spring.
County council placed $375,000 in reserves to proceed with completing the Trans Canada Trail.
Cousins stated the county has received confirmation the Trans Canada organization will pay 50% of the off-road costs and the county will also qualify for some funding from a provincial organization, TCT Pan Am.
“The net result is the county cost will be significantly reduced and we are bringing $225,000 out of reserve for use in 2015. We anticipate costs may be significantly less depending on Pan Am funding,” Cousins explained.
County staff have been working with the Township of Centre Wellington, OMAFRA and the Region of Waterloo on various components of the project, which now includes:
– a short paved shoulder from Elora to the unopened Cottontail Road;
– a stone dust off road trail on Cottontail Road;
– a grassed trail along most of the OMAFRA Research Station lands; and
– a signed route to the Region of Waterloo and on to the Kissing Bridge Trail.
